Abstract

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, criminalising consensual sexual activity between adults of the same sex, was framed during the British Raj and continued to govern Indian sexual relations until very recently. This law seems to reflect societal attitudes towards alternate sexualities. Such attitudes can affect the self-esteem and quality of life of people in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community who may then seek help from mental health professionals. Unfortunately, psychiatry has a history of pathologising homosexuality